Interactive Metronome: A Fun and Effective Treatment Tool

We are proud to share that two of our therapists, Sara Bray and Emily Russell, have now completed their Interactive Metronome training. Interactive Metronome is an evidence-based assessment and treatment tool that is used to improve neural timing, rhythm, and brain network synchronization.  

Interactive Metronome is a computer program that includes associated headphones, hand triggers, and foot triggers. While all program settings can be adjusted for each individual's needs and personal processing speeds, overall, the program works by playing an alert sound into the headphones while the user must clap the hand triggers or tap the foot triggers with the goal of synchronizing their movements to the sound. The program tells the user if they are early or late with either visual or auditory feedback. With practice, IM increases the efficiency of the attentional control system, working memory, and executive functions to achieve better focus and more complex cognitive processing and learning. Here at Reach for Speech, it is an invaluable tool, as it can be used across all three disciplines of speech, occupational, and physical therapy.  

There are a wide variety of cases where Interactive Metronome can benefit our patients, including those with Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy, Acquired Brain Injury, Post Concussion Syndrome, Speech-Language-Learning Disorders, Executive Function Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, and many more.  

For Emily and Sara, training included completing a study of the research behind IM as well as completing a full day of hands-on training setting up and working with the equipment. They familiarized themselves with the software by working through all the assessments to test their own timing and learning what adjustments to make to the computer program to better suit the needs of the person they are working with.  

Emily shared how implementing this program into her therapy sessions has already helped her patients in big ways. “After getting the opportunity to use it with a few kids in the clinic, I found I really like how the program keeps them engaged and makes a huge impact on their bilateral coordination skills in physical therapy.” She goes on to explain, “One of my kids at Reach for Speech had been struggling to dribble using alternating hands, but after completing the assessment and training trials through Interactive Metronome for three consecutive classes, he was able to dribble up to 15 times using alternating hands.” Big leaps like this are why we encourage all our therapists to continue to learn new skills and frameworks that they can apply in-clinic.   

It isn’t just the therapist who love the program though, Emily shares how this treatment tool has been a hit with the kids as well, “Kids like the program because it feels like they get to play a video game during therapy, and I like it because the program holds their attention well with all different interactive games and it provides quick and noticeable results.” It’s a win-win for everyone!  

If you think your child could benefit from practicing their coordination, timing, and focus through tools like the Interactive Metronome call us to set up an OT, PT, or Speech evaluation today!